Vertigo Executive Editor Karen Berger Steps Down

Karen Berger, the executive editor and senior VP for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, announced that she’s stepping down after 20 years with the brand, according to a press release from Vertigo. Berger will remain on board through March of 2013 to help with “the transition to a new leadership team which includes veteran staffers whom she has mentored over the years.” Under Berger, the imprint released titles like The Sandman, V for Vendetta and Hellblazer.

“I’ve been incredibly proud to have provided a home where writers and artists could create progressive and provocative stories that broadened the scope of comics, attracting a new and diverse readership to graphic storytelling,” Berger said in the press release. “I’d like to thank all the many immensely talented creators who have helped make Vertigo into a daring and distinctive imprint and I’m grateful to everyone at DC Entertainment and the retail community for their support and commitment to Vertigo all these years. It’s been quite an honor.”

The release also said that DC is planning a celebration in 2013 for Berger’s 33 years of work. Recently, Vertigo has been in news after characters such as Swamp Thing, Constantine and Madame Xanadu crossed over to the DC universe. Rumors of her departure (and Vertigo’s future) have been on the web since last summer.